Instagram reverses course after TikTok redesign

Following online criticism from users, influencers, and celebrities, Instagram says it is stopping the launch of new features on its app.

An rise in suggested video content, akin to TikTok, a competing app, was one of the new features. People complained that they were not seeing as many images from friends and relatives on the display and newsfeed. Instagram's parent company, Meta, stated that it will "take the time" to make the adjustments properly. The rise in popularity of competitor TikTok, where users post and watch more video instead of still images, is thought to have sparked Instagram's redesign toward more video content. The TikTok app, the first app not owned by Meta to reach this milestone, has already been downloaded more than three billion times worldwide, according to data from digital analytics firm Sensor Tower. The test version of the updated app would be phased out within weeks, according to Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, who spoke to The Verge. I'm delighted we took a chance because, in his words, "if we're not failing occasionally, we're not thinking big enough or bold enough." "But it's clear that we need to pause and regroup. After we've learnt a lot, we usually return with a fresh concept or iteration. We will therefore resolve that." In an earlier video explanation of the shift to video, Mr. Mosseri stated that full-screen films will be prioritized above images. However, in response to criticism, he tweeted repeatedly that he wished to "continue supporting photos."